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Fused Connection Units.

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As I sit here ruminating (yes madam it is legal in Norfolk), I recall the switched fused connection units of old. I have installed a few in my time for gas boiler supplies etc.

I was fond of a certain make at the time in the early days, which had the two incoming supply terminals next to each other, L & N that is. I seem to recall that they were mounted at the top of the accessory. The outgoing terminals were dotted about elsewhere and I had to read the markings to identify them.

Nowaydays the terminals are positioned every which way as the Americans say. So care is needed to connect the accessories correctly.

Which is your preferred make/design of switched fused connection unit?

Edit. Add. A re-invention of the wheel here with this design. I feel young again.

 

Z.

  • 0

    They do frustrate me with the variety of different layouts, often with the L , N and  E out in different corners.

    What really frustrates me is type with a flex out arrangement where there is less than 1/8inch between the cable clamp and the innards of the FCU to try and fit three cores of 1.5 or 2.5 flex. Trying to ft these as a replacement when the FCU is in the back of a  kitchen cupboard  or airing cupboard ( as they always are) with  very tight supply cables is a *********.  * = substitute word of your choice which makes you feel better.

     

     

  • 0

    kfh: 
     

    They do frustrate me with the variety of different layouts, often with the L , N and  E out in different corners.

    What really frustrates me is type with a flex out arrangement where there is less than 1/8inch between the cable clamp and the innards of the FCU to try and fit three cores of 1.5 or 2.5 flex. Trying to ft these as a replacement when the FCU is in the back of a  kitchen cupboard  or airing cupboard ( as they always are) with  very tight supply cables is a *********.  * = substitute word of your choice which makes you feel better.

     

     

    Agreed. Perhaps that is why D.I.Yers just grip the flex cores and not the outer flex sheath?

     

    Z.

  • 0

    kfh: 
     

    They do frustrate me with the variety of different layouts, often with the L , N and  E out in different corners.

    What really frustrates me is type with a flex out arrangement where there is less than 1/8inch between the cable clamp and the innards of the FCU to try and fit three cores of 1.5 or 2.5 flex. Trying to ft these as a replacement when the FCU is in the back of a  kitchen cupboard  or airing cupboard ( as they always are) with  very tight supply cables is a *********.  * = substitute word of your choice which makes you feel better.

    Have never fit 2.5 flex in a FCU,thought 1.5 would always be protected by the 13A fuse.

                                                                                                                            Regards,Hz

     

     

  • 0

    Depends on the environment, heated locations or restricted airflow, or long cable scrabbling for voltage drop might see 2.5mm. But generally yes 1,5mm or less ought to be fine in most places.

     

    I'd agree there seems to be a very wide variation in where the terminals are, and that means that the cable previously dressed for another maker's offering is not always a good fit to the replacement.

     

    M

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